Joint Compressions
By Erin Clarelli, MS, OTR/L & Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L
What Are They & Why Use Them?
Joint compressions is a passive type of sensory input that allows an individual to receive localized and intense proprioceptive input to different parts of the body. This type of input can be focused and direct to a particular area in the body which may be very helpful to an individual. Proprioceptive input is generally calming and organizing for our brain and bodies!
How Do I Offer Joint Compressions?
Explain to the individual that you are going to provide their body with proprioceptive input that will help them feel their body more.
Place your hands on either side of a specific joint (ankle, knee, wrist, fingers, or elbow are most common). Keep you fingers closer together rather than spreading them out when placing your hands around the joint (think spoons over forks).
With firm, yet gentle pressure, push the joint together in a quick motion anywhere from 5-10 times.
Repeat on the other side of the body and other joints are needed.
Additional Notes and learning
Joint compressions can be used as a proactive strategy before experiences that are considered stress or overwhelming to the nervous system.
They can also be used as a reactive strategy in moments of dysregulation, if and ONLY if touching the individual doesn’t cause additional stress or sympathetic nervous system response.
As mentioned earlier, joint compressions are a form of proprioceptive input, but also provides tactile input to the body. Making sure you are using consistent, firm pressure in your touch help this input feel more calming than alerting to the brain.
Want to see joint compressions being completed by one of our registered and licensed occupational therapists? Click this link in order to be brought to our YouTube page!
Questions and Thoughts…
Let us know below, have you used joint compressions? Do you find them to be a successful strategy? We are looking to hear from you!